Transit tumbles into Teesta abyss

Despite claims of improvement in bilateral relations, there have been no decision over the much-hyped Teesta deal and the transit issue during the visit of the Indian prime minister.

bdnews24.com
Published : 6 Sept 2011, 02:18 PM
Updated : 6 Sept 2011, 02:18 PM
Sheikh Shahariar Zaman
bdnews24.com senior correspondent
Dhaka, Sept 6 (bdnews24.com)—Despite claims of improvement in bilateral relations, there have been no decision over the much-hyped Teesta deal and the transit issue during the visit of the Indian prime minister.
But Manmohan Singh has declared that India would allow duty- and quota-free market access to 46 readymade garment-related products and 24-hour access to Tin Bigha corridor.
"Our common rivers need not be sources of discord, but can become the harbingers of prosperity to both our countries," he said in a joint statement on Tuesday after holding talks with prime minister Sheikh Hasina at her office.
"We have decided to continue discussions to reach a mutually acceptable, fair and amicable arrangement for the sharing of the Teesta and Feni river waters," he added.
The two neighbouring countries have signed an agreement, a protocol and eight memoranda of understanding.
Earlier, Indian media reported that the Teesta pact had been put off after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had expressed her reservations about its final draft even though Bangladesh government had not officially acknowledge it.
Several local and foreign media quoting unnamed sources said the Bangladesh government had told the Indians that there will be no agreement, interim or otherwise, on transit if the Teesta pact is not reached.
Kolkata-based Bartamaan said Manmohan's visit has lost importance while India's most-read Bengali newspaper Anandabazar's said Dhaka is uneasy at the news of the deal not happening.
But foreign minister Dipu Moni had remained unwavering in her belief until Monday night. Her 'strong belief' in a Teesta deal even after the disturbing developments across the border apparently fizzled out after her meeting with Manmohan.
On Tuesday, she evaded a question and told reporters, "We are working together to realise the people's hopes and aspirations in this region."
She said India had been encouraged with Bangladesh's initiative towards a regional cooperation. "[Manmohan] believes this initiative will succeed."
Government allies in Dhaka have expressed their frustration at the uncertainty around the Teesta deal.
Leaders of Jatiya Party, Bangladesh Workers Party and the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal said hopes of the Bangladeshi people have been dashed. They said Delhi's sincerity behind its previous commitments could not hold up in the face of opposition from the state governments.
The ruling Awami League's alliance partners, however, said they hoped that the prime ministerial summit would expand the possibility for further cooperation.
Fears in Dhaka that no agreement on Teesta water sharing was going to be signed this time were further fuelled by the absence of Indian water resources minister Pawan Kumar Bansal from Manmohan's tour party over the apparently botched-up deal.
Kolkata-based Telegraph suggested that Bansal was excluded from the Dhaka tour as punishment.
Manmohan in a phone call on Monday evening assured the West Bengal chief minister Mamata that any deal harming her state was not acceptable to him either, according to Indian media reports.
Dhaka's uneasiness had become apparent at the frantic manoeuvres at the foreign ministry since morning. As clouds of uncertainty loomed large over the pact, foreign secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes called the Indian high commissioner Rajeet Mitter for a meet early on Tuesday.
The publicity wing's director general Shamim Ahsan told bdnews24.com, "They had detailed discussion on these issues in the morning."
Foreign secretary Quayes avoided a clear answer on the issue and snapped at journalists at Sonargaon Hotel on Tuesday, "Have I told anyone as such?"
He also ducked questions about whether the Teesta pact will come through and said, "We are looking at it incrementally. If a deal is not signed, if we look at it incrementally, then we should try to stay engaged. If we can hold on to the trend then we will progress."
Quayes accompanied the foreign minister when she visited the Indian premier on Tuesday evening.
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